2019 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 24
BY SENATORS PEACOCK AND W ALSWORTH
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To express the sincere and heartfelt condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the
passing of Duane K. Ebarb of Shreveport, a kind and caring individual who worked
tirelessly as a champion for the rights of the disabled as a consultant, public servant,
educator, administrator, and friend.
WHEREAS, Duane Kenneth Ebarb passed peacefully from this life on Thursday,
September 6, 2018, at the age of sixty-nine; and
WHEREAS, he was an exuberant and lifelong crusader for the concerns of the
physically handicapped, mentally disabled, and the elderly; he improved the quality of life
for disabled individuals, in particular, through the enhanced availability and ready access of
public services, housing, education, and economic opportunity; and
WHEREAS, Duane Ebarb experienced firsthand the obstacles and limitations placed
upon the physically disabled by society having been wheelchair-bound after experiencing
a spinal cord injury as a young adult; and
WHEREAS, during his lifetime Duane had a far-reaching effect on the removal of
barriers that inhibited the access of the handicapped to all manner of public services and
opportunities; and
WHEREAS, a graduate of Woodlawn High School in Shreveport, Duane rose to the
rank of colonel in Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) and was the top ranked cadet
in Caddo Parish; and
WHEREAS, after graduation, Duane looked forward to military service and
volunteered for the United States Marine Corps; an unfortunate accident left him paralyzed
and prevented his service; however, he was a patriot and remained a strong supporter of
those who served in the military; and
WHEREAS, he faced life fearlessly and did not let anyone or anything stand in his
way; he led a full life instilled with ambition and fortitude to follow his dreams and become
a contributing member of the community; and
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WHEREAS, Duane Ebarb persevered despite his disabilities to complete a bachelor
of arts degree from LSU-S in 1978; and
WHEREAS, his tenure as a support services advocate included positions as a
member of the board of directors of the New Horizons Independent Living Center, president
of the Shreveport Mayor's Advisory Council for Persons with Disabilities, and region leader
of Louisiana Citizens for Action Now (LaCAN); and
WHEREAS, Governor John Bel Edwards appointed him to serve on the board of the
Northwest Louisiana Human Services District as a proponent for individuals with
developmental disabilities; and
WHEREAS, Duane was honored with receipt of the Governor's Outstanding
Leadership in Disabilities Ken Vince Memorial Award in 2008 and received Mayor Cedric
Glover's Award for Excellence in Leadership in Disabilities in 2009; and
WHEREAS, Duane also served on the board of directors for ThinkFirst of the
Ark-La-Tex, an organization that promotes injury prevention education; and
WHEREAS, Duane Ebarb was a frequent spokesman for the rights of the disabled;
he advocated the tenets of independent living and lobbied local and state lawmakers
concerning the availability of community-based support services for the disabled; and
WHEREAS, with his affable demeanor Duane Ebarb acted as the catalyst to "keep
in touch" with his Woodlawn High School classmates; he was that connection who kept
everyone informed and involved over the decades since graduation; and
WHEREAS, his accomplishments, both great and small, may seem incidental to the
able-bodied; however, to the physically challenged these improvements were uplifting and
life-changing, particularly for adults with disabilities who sought to live independently; and
WHEREAS, Duane was an active member of Christ United Methodist Church and
served on numerous committees; at his funeral the Reverend Mark Goins eulogized that he
was an individual who loved large and lived out loud and whose determination knew no
disability; and
WHEREAS, Duane Ebarb embraced a certain joie de vivre, the joy of life that was
reflected in his belief that his physical limitations were lessened by the capacity of his mind
to dream and his heart to love; and
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WHEREAS, Duane shall be fondly remembered for his unselfish acts of kindness,
determination, and his lifetime of significant contributions of improved accessibility and
support services afforded to the disabled citizens of his community and state.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
express sincere condolences on the passing of Duane K. Ebarb of Shreveport, an advocate
for those individuals with disabilities and a person blessed with an immeasurable capacity
for empathy for his fellow man.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to his
mother, Elaine Ebarb.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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